GET REEL: All about Mom and a Movie Trivia Contest

Bob Tremblay @BobTremblay_MW

Sunday

May 13, 2018 at 1:05 AMMay 13, 2018 at 9:17 AM

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day today than watching a movie about mothers? Well, I’m sure the moms out there could think of something more rewarding, but this is the best we can do on our limited budget.

The following films aren’t necessarily the best movies about mothers, they just happen to be my personal favorites. I also tried to vary the depiction of mothers so we have good mothers, bad mothers, comic mothers, tragic mothers and mothers with a serious mean streak. The films are listed in alphabetical order and some are grouped together so I can get more movies mentioned. I only have so much space.

“FREAKY FRIDAY” – Here’s one of the comic ones where a mother and her teenage daughter get their bodies switched, forcing mom and teen to adapt to the other person’s life. Frivolity ensues. You have your choice of the 1976 original starring Barbara Harris as the mother and Jodie Foster as the daughter, or the 2003 remake starring Jamie Lee Curtis as the mother and Lindsay Lohan as the daughter. While I normally prefer originals to remakes, I would recommend the 2003 version as it’s a little more bit more current with its situational comedy.

“IMITATION OF LIFE” – You again have a choice - this time between the 1934 film starring Claudette Colbert and the 1959 remake starring Lana Turner. And again, I’d go with the remake unless you like your sentiment slathered on. Both films focus on single mothers, one white and one black, trying to raise their daughters. Let’s just say race plays a prominent role here. In the 1959 movie, the black mother and her mixed-race daughter are superbly played by Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner, respectively. Both received Oscar nominations for best supporting actress. As for Colbert, 1934 was a very good year as she won the best actress Oscar for "It Happened One Night."

“THE JOY LUCK CLUB” – More bang for your buck here as this 1993 film tells the trying tales of not one, not two, not three, but four Chinese women who each have American-assimilated daughters. Get ready for some culture clashes, and keep some Kleenex nearby.

“JUNO” – You wouldn’t think a film could succeed using teenage pregnancy as the backdrop for comedy, but this one does. It won the best screenplay Oscar for Diablo Cody. Not that being a teen with an unplanned pregnancy is by itself a laughing matter. The fact that both pro-life and pro-choice groups praised the film may be its greatest accomplishment. Ellen Page garnered a best actress Oscar nod for her brilliant performance as the teen.

“LADY BIRD,” “I, TONYA” and “POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE” – Here’s a triple play of mother and daughters in turmoil. In “Lady Bird” (2017), a semi-autobiographical story written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the mom played by Laurie Metcalf and the daughter played by Saoirse Ronan have difficulties traveling in the same universe, let alone getting on the same page. In “I, Tonya” (2017), a biographical film of figure skater Tonya Harding, the mom played by Allison Janney treats her daughter played by Margot Robbie with all the kindness of a crocodile with hunger pains. In “Postcards” (1990), a semi-biographical film about the contentious relationship between Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds, the daughter played by Meryl Streep and the mother played by Shirley MacLaine have to overcome mile-high hurdles, basically because daughter spends too much time high on a variety of mind-altering substances. Metcalf, Ronan, Janney, Robbie and Streep were all nominated for Oscars. Only Janney won.

“THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE” – The mother in this film makes Machiavelli look like Mister Rogers. Without getting into too much detail, her idea of child-rearing leaves a lot to be desired. Once again, you have a choice – either the 1962 film with Angela Lansbury as the morally challenged mom or the 2004 remake with Meryl Streep. This time, go with the original. It packs more of a punch and its political power play is more potent.

“MASK,” “WONDER” and “ROOM” – So far we’ve only talked about mother-and-daughter relationships, most of them troubled. Here are three films about mother-son relationships where the moms go above and beyond the call of caring in trying circumstances. In “Mask’ (1985), Cher is the mother and Eric Stoltz her son who has a rare disorder that has seriously disfigured his face. Cher’s character tries her best to make sure her son has a normal life, a task made harder by her own problems. In “Wonder” (2017) Julia Roberts plays the mom and Jacob Tremblay her son who also has a facial deformity, though not as pronounced and as life-threatening as in “Mask.” Also, “Wonder” is more about the boy dealing with ostracism after going to school for the first time. He had previously been home-schooled. Also, the boy’s family is considerably better off financially than the boy’s family in “Mask.” In “Room” (2015), Brie Larson is the mom and Tremblay (again) the son who has spent all his life in a room after his mother was kidnapped and impregnated. Larson’s mom has the unenviable task of trying to raise her son in a situation that would crush the soul of most people. Larson won the best actress Oscar for her incredible performance. If you have to choose among these three, “Room” is the hardest of the films to watch. It’s also the best, though ‘Mask” is a close second. If you want a more heart-warming movie, go with “Wonder.”

“MILDRED PIERCE” and “MOMMIE DEAREST” – Here’s the best and the worst of Joan Crawford as a mother. She fairs a tad better in the fictional film. In “Mildred Pierce” (1945), Crawford plays the mother of two girls struggling to make ends meet, a chore made challenging by her older daughter’s penchant for social climbing no matter what the cost. Crawford garnered a best actress Oscar. In “Mommie Dearest” (1981), Faye Dunaway plays Crawford and Diane Scarwid her adopted daughter Christina, whose biography paints Crawford as a child abuser who uses coat hangers for purposes that have little to do with sartorial function.

“PSYCHO” and “WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?” – I’ll avoid spoilers for people who haven’t seen these films. Just don’t go in expecting women with warm and fuzzy maternal instincts. In “Psycho” (1960, avoid the 1998 remake), Anthony Perkins plays a motel owner whose mother “isn’t quite herself today.” In “Woolf” (1966), Elizabeth Taylor plays a woman whom we are told has a son about to celebrate his 16th birthday. Taylor won a best actress Oscar for her portrayal of the incendiary Martha. Neither film will be confused with Hallmark Hall of Fame specials.

“SOPHIE’S CHOICE” and “STELLA DALLAS” – Mothers often have to make sacrifices, but few mothers make ones as painful as experienced in these two films. Certainly, the one Meryl Streep’s character has to make in “Sophie’s Choice” (1982) may be the most horrific a mother ever has to make. In “Stella Dallas” (1937), Barbara Stanwyck’s character shows little concern for herself to make sure her daughter leads a better life. The concluding scene where she looks at her daughter through the window in the rain rates as a big-time heart-breaker. Streep won a best actress Oscar for her performance, Stanwyck was nominated for hers.

“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI,” “TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY" and "SPECIES" – Then there are mothers you just don’t want to mess with. In “Three Billboards” (2017), Frances McDormand’s character will not rest until the person who raped and murdered her daughter is apprehended. Her placement of three billboards criticizing the police department’s efforts in the case doesn’t exactly sit too well with the constabulary. In “Terminator 2” (1991), Linda Hamilton’s character will not rest until her son is safe to grow up to become the future leader of the resistance. Complicating matters is a cyborg bent on killing him. She does receive assistance from another cyborg played by Don Knotts. OK, maybe he’s played by another actor. In "Species" (1995) Natasha Henstridge's character really, really wants to become a mommy and woe to anyone who gets in her way. After leaving several corpses in her wake, she finally gets pregnant and gives birth to a son who shares his mom's gift for gore. McDormand won a best actress Oscar for her mildly volatile performance in "Billboards" while “Terminator 2" became the highest grossing film of 1991. As for Henstridge, "Species" marked her film debut. She would appear in the two sequels.

If you want to see film featuring a real-life mother and daughter, there’s “Rambling Rose” (1991) with Diane Ladd and Laura Dern.

Last month’s tester: Who was the recipient of the following note - "I'm so happy and pleased for you. Love, Elizabeth Todd."

Answer: Joanne Woodward after receiving the Best Actress Oscar for "The Three Faces of Eve." One of her fellow nominees was Elizabeth Taylor, aka Elizabeth Todd, as she was married to Michael Todd at the time.

Norma Shulman of Framingham was the first reader to answer the question correctly. Steve Davies of Marlborough also answered the question correctly. Congratulations!

This month's tester: This film, known for its use of profanity, was nominated for three Oscars: best actor, best supporting actor and best screenplay. Clue: An actor cast to play one of the three major roles backed out of the film after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The first reader to answer the question correctly will receive a prize.

Trivia enthusiasts can call me at 508-626-4409 or email me at rtremblay@wickedlocal.com. Make sure you leave your name, address and phone number on my message machine or email so I can contact you if you answered the question correctly. The address is needed so winners can be mailed their prize. Callers should spell out their names slowly and clearly so their names will be spelled correctly in the column.